Ky. college eliminates paramedic program due to low enrollment

According to a statement, the school “made an administrative decision to suspend the paramedic associate degree program due to low enrollment"

By EMS1 Staff

HAZARD, Ky. — A technical college suspended a paramedic program due to low enrollment, causing EMS providers in the area to worry about a shortage.

WYMT reported that Hazard Community and Technical College “made an administrative decision to suspend the paramedic associate degree program due to low enrollment,” according to a statement from HCTC CEO, Dr. Jennifer Lindon.

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EMS providers said a paramedic shortage could now occur in rural areas.

"I don't think people realize how much a paramedic can actually do in the field to save a life or stabilize a patient," EMS Medical Director, Bart Francis said. "If we don't train people locally, then we are not going to have people from this region travel and then come back to the region to work."

Hazard's Kentucky Fire Commission State Fire Rescue said they plan to eventually launch a paramedic program after hearing about the decision, but that it could take nearly a year to get going.

"[We] can really benefit in the long run for the longer transport times that you have in rural Kentucky," Coordinator Greg Reams said. "And as long as there is an interest for students to participate in the programs, we are going to try to provide those programs for the students."

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